Hidrológiai Közlöny 1977 (57. évfolyam)

1. szám - Murawski Tadeusz: A magyar vízminőség-szabályozási UNDP/WHO Project és a WHO Európai Regionális Hivatalának főbb tevékenysége a környezeti szennyezések ellenőrzése terén

Hidrológiai Közlöny 1977. 1. sz. 5 Hungarian UNDP/WHO Project on Water Quality Management and Characteristics of General Activities of the WHO Regional Office for Europe in the Field of Environmental Pollution Control By T. K. MURAWSKI* 1. Introduction Pollution of the environment is closely connected with social and economic development and progress. It is part of the price we have to pay for a higher standard of living. And even if the problems are more obvious in some places that in others, it is a fact that they are becoming increasingly international, even global. Solutions of environmental problems call for co-operation between nations. The attention that has been focussed on environmental issues in recent years has led to the development of pollution control programmes at both national and international levels. Investigations and studies already carried out reveal the tremendeous scope and complexity of the problems involved. These range from the development of special methods for the treatment of industrial wastes, to influencing consumers to show preference for products that are less harmful to the environment from the point of view of production, use and disposal. Also the general attitude toward water resources —one of the most important media of the natural environment

—has also changed markedly during recent years. In addition to the conventional problems associated with uneven distribution of water resources, with their seasonal fluctuations, etc., major new factors have assumed a predominant importance

—factors such as the rapidlygrowing demand for water (particularly in countries with intensive industrial development), as well as the increasing deterioration of the quality of the water resources available. The present stage of the scientific-industrial revolution

—with its expanding population, and, more important, its even more rapidly expanding urban-industrial development

—now requires also a revolutionary improvement in the management of water quality, and calls for the application of more effective planning methods in water pollution control. 2. The Hungarian UNDP/WHO project on Water Quality management. Background Hungary, too, is being faced with environmental pollution problems, and inter alia, with increasing pollution of the existing water resources which, unless checked, is likely to become one of the main * Staff-Member of WHO and Project Manager of the UNDP/WHO project HUN/PIP001 "Pilot Zones for Water Quality Management". impediments to economic growth and development. Hungary comprises two major river systems, that of the Danube (46,300 km

2) and that of the Tisza (46,700 km

2). The country derives 96% of its water resources from other countries and its rivers flow into or from Austria, Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union, Romania and Yugoslavia. Considering its total dependence on water resources from other countries, Hungary is naturally vitally interested in establishing close collaboration with other riparian countries, especially Czechoslovakia. At the same time the Government is undertaking serious efforts to protect surface water resources against pollution and to secure water of adequate quality for different uses also in the future. In view of the industrial development prospects of Hungary and the areas where water pollution presents the most acute and urgent problems, the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Health Organization (WHO) was requested by the Government for establishing in Hungary two pilot zones for water quality management, where methods, required or being applicable for a national water quality improvement programme would be developed. A five year pre-investment project called „Pilot Zones for Water Quality Management" — HUN/PIP001 (ex. HUN. 3101)', was signed by the three Parties—Hungarian Government, UNDP and WHO, and this project become operational in May 1972. The pilot zones are located along the Danube and along the Sajó river respectively, both rivers entering Hungary from Czechoslovakia. The two pilot zones comprise the catchment area pertaining to the upper, 139 km section of the Hungarian Danube and to the Hungarian reach of the Sajó river. Thus studies can be performed on the largest water course in the country, which provides water for both population and industry, carrying moderate pollution now, but expected to become more heavily contaminated in the future, as well as on the river traversing the second largest industrial centre in Hungary, which already carries a heavy pollution load. Figs 1 and 2 give a pictorial outline of the two pilot zones. Project objectives The main, long-range objective is to develop a rational basis for planned investment in water quality improvement and thus assist the Govern-